Gating of Connexin Channels by transjunctional-voltage: Conformations and models of open and closed states.

ABSTRACT: Voltage is an important physiologic regulator of channels formed by the connexin gene family. Connexins are unique among ion channels in that both plasma membrane inserted hemichannels (undocked hemichannels) and intercellular channels (aggregates of which form gap junctions) have important physiological roles. The hemichannel is the fundamental unit of gap junction voltage-gating. Each hemichannel displays two distinct voltage-gating mechanisms that are primarily sensitive to a voltage gradient formed along the length of the channel pore (the transjunctional voltage) rather than sensitivity to the absolute membrane potential (V_m or V_i-o). These transjunctional voltage dependent processes have been termed V_j- or fast-gating and loop- or slow-gating. Underst

SUBMITTER: Bargiello TA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5668201 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature